Monday, July 25, 2016

BEYOND THE NARROWS by M. R. Durbin. I had very mixed feelings on this book. The premise was fascinating, and I loved the wealth of knowledge that was given in this story. The humor was a perfect off set to all the information given. The tension was great when it was there, and the characters were easy to grow fond of. I had a very difficult time following the point of view throughout a lot of the book though. I found myself going back to see who was speaking and who's head we were in. At times it felt like we were supposed to be in an omnisciente point of view, but it wasn't pulled off cleanly. Other times it was very clear who's point of view we were in. This is a wonderful adventure with a ton of what I would consider little known bits of knowledge that does leave the story open to a companion novel. Anyone who loves a great adventure will enjoy this book.

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After being the subject of an explosive assassination attempt, O'Reilly (Obie) Begay, a retired Navajo archaeologist, finds himself in the middle of the hunt for an ancient record the personal journal of a Spanish Templar leading to a legendary treasure.

When Obie tracks down the journal, he enlists fellow retirees Peter, Bill, and Jack to assist him in following its clues. Facing gunfights and car chases, the treasure hunters locate a 500-year-old Mayan codex, the next clue on their adventure. Peter's grandson, Charley, and Obie's granddaughter, Mac, come along for the quest, but they may find themselves drawn to a different kind of treasure.

Constantly one tiny step ahead of their enemies as they scour the caves, cliffs, and canyons of Southern Utah, Obie's team will have to rely on each other if they want to reach the treasure before their pursuers. But what will they do if not all in their numbers can be trusted?

*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Monday, July 18, 2016

TRAPPED IN EAST GERMANY by Carolyn Twede Frank. I have been very excited about reading this book. It's an intriguing story based on actual events. Since it arrived in the mail yesterday, you'll have to stay tuned for my review later this week but I can already tell it will be difficult to put down.

It is the autumn of 1943, and Karin Graeber is keenly aware of the uneasy tide of of change swirling around her. She is not alone—in wartime Berlin, it seems that everyone has been swept up in the frightening transformation of their city. No more than a child, Karin is far too young to understand the Nazi presence or the drone of air-raid sirens or the absence of her beloved Pappa, a soldier in the German army. But when a bomb destroys their home, Karin is forced to grow up far too soon as her family joins the tens of thousands displaced in the raids on the city. Relying on their faith as Latter-day Saints, Karin and her family begin a journey that will prove the indomitable strength of the human spirit.

What follows is the sweeping narrative of one young girl's journey through war and beyond—from her childlike observations of World War II in Germany to her changing view of the world as she grows up in a land divided by war. Now, driven by starvation and the perilous existence of refugees, Karin and her family must draw upon a deep reservoir of strength and faith to sustain them through the harrowing escape ahead ...

*A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

Monday, July 11, 2016

FOUR CHAMBERS: POWER OF THE MATCHMAKER by Julie Wright. I have loved every installment of the Matchmaker series, and this is no exception. I couldn't put it down. I was heartbroken each time Andra was kicked to the ground. I couldn't fathom how she was going to end up with the right guy, especially after all that time. (Which was probably the only thing I had a hard time with. He waited around for a long time.) It was an amazing progression for both Andra and Everett. What a journey. Anyone who loves a great roller coaster as well as a love story will love this book. I highly recommend it to anyone.

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Every time Andra Stone crosses paths with Everett Covington, trouble follows. First she loses her scholarship, then she loses the apartment she’d wanted more than anything. But tragedy hits hardest when she loses her grandmother—the best friend Andra has ever known. She determines that Everett is a talisman of ill fortune. When Everett comes to work in her hospital and is applying for the same position she’d been working toward since residency, Andra believes him to be her personal poltergeist. The human heart has four chambers—four chances to get it right. Andra has only one chance left.*A review copy was provided by IAMAREADER.COM in exchange for an unbiased review.